Acquisition of mill 1783 (≈ 1783)
The Montgolfier family buys a paper mill.
1784
Anointing and Royal Manufacture
Anointing and Royal Manufacture 1784 (≈ 1784)
Royal status obtained after family anomaly.
XIXe siècle
Continuous paper machine
Continuous paper machine XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
First installation on the Pupil site.
2012
Historic Monument Protection
Historic Monument Protection 2012 (≈ 2012)
Registration of parts of the site.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facades and roofs of buildings on the left bank of the Deûme to the south, with the exception of the extensions added in the second courtyard and against the north-west wing (Box Davezieux AB 175, 177); the basements of these buildings and the ground floor of the wing is on the second courtyard in full; the bread oven; façades and roofs of the bridge over the Deûme (cad; Davezieux AB 176) and the building on the right bank to the first bridge (cad; Annonay AC 971); the chapel (parochial church since 1992) in its entirety (cf. Davezieux AB 92); the monument commemorating the invention of the balloon (cad; Davézieux AB 175): registration by order of 20 July 2012
Key figures
Famille Montgolfier - Owners and innovators
Founded the factory, anobliated in 1784.
Origin and history
Montgolfier-Canson stationery, located in Annonay and Davezieux en Ardèche, has been an industrial complex dedicated to papermaking since the 18th century. The Montgolfier family acquired a paper mill in 1783, and their anoblissement in 1784 raised activity to the rank of royal manufacture. This prestigious status marks the beginning of a period of technical innovations and expansion, with modern installations such as the first continuous paper machine in the 19th century.
In the 19th century, the site expanded significantly with the fusion of Vidalon and Pupil plants, linked by a long iconic building. At its peak, more than 1,000 people lived there, and remains of this community remain: workers' housing, a bread oven, and a chapel still visible. Most of the chimneys have disappeared, except for the boiler plant, which is a witness of past industrial activity.
Today, the site houses the Canson and Montgolfier Stationery Museum, classified among the Houses of the Illustrators. Some architectural elements have been protected under the Historic Monuments since 2012, including the facades, the bridge over the Deûme, and the chapel. The monument commemorating the invention of the balloon also recalls the link between the family and the aerostation.
The set illustrates the evolution of papermaking techniques and the social role of manufacturing in Ardèche, between industrial innovation and Community organisation. The location, shared between Annonay and Davezieux, reflects its territorial anchor in the Deûme Valley, a strategic site for hydraulic energy and transport.
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